When getting new tires, do you get 5 or 4?

[scott78945]

I am going to be getting new tires. I live in central NY and these stock Dunlops really suck! This is my second one with them and I was hoping that for some reason the 2005 model Runners would have different tread or something than my 2003 Runner, but they don't. So I am taking everyones advice and going to get some Revo's on this thing so I can make it to work everyday. But my question is do you just get the 4 tires or do you spend the extra for a spare? Or could I the Dunlop if I ever had a flat? Money is a little tight so if I didn't have to spend the extra $ then I would obviously rather not. Also, anyone have any experience with the Bridgestone Blizzacks?

 

[toybox]

If you going up a size, especially with the full-time 4WD that comes with the V8, I would buy the 5th tire.

Ironically I just bought new tires and upsized (and I have the V8) but I just couldn't afford that 5th tire so I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope that I don't get a flat until I can afford to change the spare.

If you're staying at the same size I wouldn't even bother, I'd just stick to the 4 new ones and that is it.

 

[spyne]

Haven't replaced them yet, but when I do I'll be replacing all 5. I use a 5 tire rotation patern and they should all be worn out at that point so I won't have any choice.

 

[scott78945]

Toybox,
What size did you put on yours? I believe on my V8 there is the 265/60/17 but I could be mistaken.

 

[toybox]

Toybox,
What size did you put on yours? I believe on my V8 there is the 265/60/17 but I could be mistaken.

You have 265/65/17 stock on your truck.

I bought 265/70/17 Nitto Terra Grapplers and love the look and drive of them.

 

[scott78945]

So I can go up to a 265/70/17 on my Runner? What is the benefit of this? Are there any downfalls?

 

[sharp4runr]

So I can go up to a 265/70/17 on my Runner? What is the benefit of this? Are there any downfalls?

yes you can go up to that size as well as your spare tire without any fitment issues. benefits are that it fills the wheel well a little more and also gives you a cheap lift. downsize is that your speedo and odometer are going to be off. also gas mileage will be reduced because of the extra weight of the bigger tire.

 

[toybox]

So I can go up to a 265/70/17 on my Runner? What is the benefit of this? Are there any downfalls?

There is not a huge selection in the stock tire size. For instance the Nitto's do not come in the stock size. I love the look of the Nitto's, they were rated the best tire by Consumer Reports and they are very reasonably priced compared to others including the Revo's.

I believe someone did the math and the speedo will be off by about 3%, to your benefit though as it will show 3% LESS miles than what was actually traveled.

And I have only seen 1 tenth of a mile less in the mpg department.

If you are changing out dunlops than I don't see any downfalls and many benefits because the Dunlops just plain sucked.

 

[Bobby]

I think I was the one that posted the differences after I got my Revos. I lost .6 miles every 10 miles on the odometer and the speedo was off by 2mph at 70mph indicated (using a gps). I was on a highway for about 60 miles and that was the average.

If you're near Northern NJ, I have special pricing for T4R members on the Nitto Terra Grapplers.

 

[4RunrMaDmAn]

I too recently dumped my stock Dunlops after a trip to the Nevada desert. I got a leak in the sidewall... I have heard from a number of tire guys with a 4x4 you don't want to have any tire with a 3/8" difference in treadwear. I bought 5 new Revos... So, I would especially buy 5 if you increase the size. I went with 270s. I like them.

 

[charlier180]

I am going to be getting new tires. I live in central NY and these stock Dunlops really suck! This is my second one with them and I was hoping that for some reason the 2005 model Runners would have different tread or something than my 2003 Runner, but they don't. So I am taking everyones advice and going to get some Revo's on this thing so I can make it to work everyday. But my question is do you just get the 4 tires or do you spend the extra for a spare? Or could I the Dunlop if I ever had a flat? Money is a little tight so if I didn't have to spend the extra $ then I would obviously rather not. Also, anyone have any experience with the Bridgestone Blizzacks?

After I bought my 2004 in November of that year I decided to run the stock Dunlops and see how they performed during the winter.
For me, the Dunlops did not perform well in snow when it came to stopping or turning. The tread design coupled with the tire width simply gives very poor traction when stopping or turning on snow covered roads.

After thinking about it for a while I simply could not get rid of my hardly worn Dunlops and replace them with Revos. For me, the Dunlops work okay on dry or rain covered roads. It also did not help that the Revos were more expensive than the Blizzaks.

This November I tracked down a vitually new set of 16 inch steel wheels for $145 shipped. I purchased a set of 4 Blizzak DM3 tires (245/75/16s) and had them mounted. After the first snowstorm of the season where I lived (about 8 inches) I took a ride on the unplowed road in front of my house. During a simulated panic stop (ie STOMPED on the brakes) the Blizzaks did not lose traction what-so-ever. Needless to say I am VERY pleased with the Blizzaks.

Maybe once the Dunlops and Blizzaks need to be replaced it will be time for Revos. Until then I can put up with swapping tires each winter and spring.

BTW, I purchased the Blizzaks in the size I did so that in the event of a flat I could use the stock spare since the Blizzaks and the spare are virtually the same height. It also helps that the Blizzaks are almost the same size when it comes to speedo accuracy.

 

[Bluto]

I plan to go with 5 265/70/17.

You can get 4 and keep a plug kit & compressor in the truck. Buy the 5th tire when I go in for the first 5-wheel roation and balance.

Another option would is to buy a cheap/used 265/70/17 for the spare. Probably cheaper than a compressor and plug kit. This is a bad option is you go offroad.


If you get a lot of snow, charlier180's idea make sense. Are any steel wheels availble that fit the SE/Limited brakes?

 

[JB.]

But my question is do you just get the 4 tires or do you spend the extra for a spare? Money is a little tight so if I didn't have to spend the extra $ then I would obviously rather not.

Of course it's preferable to have an identical spare, but if money's tight there's no important reason to do it, especially if you match stock size. Even if you upsize and keep the stock spare, just
realize that the spare is only there to get you to a tire store. A few tens of miles at a reasonable speed with a one inch smaller spare installed should be no problem.

 

[charlier180]

If you get a lot of snow, charlier180's idea make sense. Are any steel wheels availble that fit the SE/Limited brakes?

The used 16" steel wheels I got were actually for a Tundra. New 16" wheels for a 4Runner would have cost me more $$$$. I can tell you there is no way the 16" wheels I have would work with larger brakes. They barely clear the brakes on my SR5. Unless Toyota sells base steel wheels that come on the Sport/Limited I doubt there are steel wheels available from Toyota.

 

[toybox]

Unless Toyota sells base steel wheels that come on the Sport/Limited I doubt there are steel wheels available from Toyota.

The soon-to-be-released fjcruiser will have 17" steel wheels so they will be available soon.